Overnight Chill Leads To Icy Roads, Multiple Crashes

DEARBORN (WWJ) – Snow and below-freezing temperatures combined to create icy conditions on the roads which led to several accidents Wednesday morning.

Dearborn police were forced to close the Southfield Freeway in both directions at Michigan Avenue for hours after at least seven cars were involved in a crash. Police said they kept the road closed after the accidents were clear because the conditions were just too dangerous. The freeway has since reopened.

In Romulus, accidents on both sides of I-275 at Eureka Road slowed traffic traveling in both directions. One accident blocked the left lane on the northbound side, while another accident blocked the right shoulder on the southbound side. No injuries were reported.

In Farmington Hills, police were forced to close the northbound I-275 ramp to westbound I-96 after a multi-vehicle accident. Police said due to a diesel fuel spill, the ramp will likely be closed into the afternoon rush hour. No injuries were reported. Read more.

In Southfield, a multiple vehicle accident blocked all lanes of eastbound I-696 near the M-10/Telegraph Road exit. Another car in the same area ended up in the right ditch after spinning out on the slick road.

Further east in Hazel Park, police were forced to close the northbound I-75 ramp to westbound I-696 due to multiple accidents. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was injured.

County road crews say salt trucks are on the roads to help make driving conditions safer, but drivers still need to take it slow, pay attention and leave plenty of distance between their car and other vehicles.